Timing an Entire Head Race Regatta with Several Watches

[Nielsen-Kellerman]

Technical support articles as seen in the Independent Rowing News.
Timing an Entire Head Race Regatta with Several Watches

Here it is; the much anticipated final chapter to the headrace-timing trilogy, but sorry, no light sabers. The first two columns addressed how to time a practice or small headrace using only one or two stopwatches. In this final chapter, we'll explain how a large, full-day regatta can be timed without the need for a pricey timing system. While most multi-memory stopwatches will work, utilizing one that has upload capability makes for producing fast, accurate results.

The first thing to do is organize the timing teams and tools. Three teams are needed: a starting line timing team, a finish line timing team and a results team. Each of the two timing teams will need a few stopwatches, a notebook or heat sheets, and a two-way radio or cell phone. The results team will need a laptop with upload peripheral, spreadsheet software, and a printer.

Taking the times is exactly the same as described in the last issue (please refer to IRN: Volume 8, Issue 16). Briefly: synchronize the starting of both watches via phone or radio; the starting line watch takes splits as each boat crosses the line, while the bow numbers are recorded; the finish line watch takes splits as each boat crosses the line, while the bow numbers are recorded; subtract the coordinating starting times from the finish times and …voila…you have results.

The key to producing fast results for a multi-event regatta, is what goes on away from the race course. When an event concludes, the two watches used and boat order sheets must be retrieved and brought to the results team - having a good runner on bike or car is extremely helpful. Here, upload or write down the data from the watches and apply the coinciding boat information to the times. Once the data from the watches has been uploaded or written down, create a new segment and return the watches to the timing teams for more events. The data can now be transferred into a pre-designed spreadsheet*. Through the magic of formulas and look-up tables, times can be calculated in seconds. After randomly checking a few times against the backup system, results can be printed and posted. (Note: while we obviously recommend that the Interval 2000 and Interface work ideally for this project, we do suggest using a printing stopwatch, such as the Seiko®, as a backup reference system.)

Meanwhile, back on the course, other sets of watches are being used to time more events. Utilizing three or four sets of watches will ensure a consistent rotation, eliminating the worry of being left without watches to time an event.

Unlike sprint races, when everyone knows who won right away, the wait for results from a headrace can often be tedious and frustrating. This scheme can help speed up the results process and make any regatta more exciting and enjoyable for everyone.

*If interested in receiving more information on timing a regatta or a Microsoft Excel template specifically designed for this purpose please contact Chris Mesigian. NK has successfully timed the headrace-style time trials at the 2000 and 2001 Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia.

[projman]

Hi. Is Chris Mesigian still available? We are currently reviewing our timing system for a local small boats' head race and would appreciate any thoughts on a sensible Excel spreadsheet design. The event is run over six or seven divisions during the day, every 40 minutes or so. We did have some inhouse software allowing us to use a mouse click to initiate and stop timing automatically on the PC but communications were a challenge and we're revisiting a manual process. The course is about 2k so about 7-8 minutes for the juniors and less for the seniors. Any thoughts would be welcomed. Thankyou. Best regards, John Hill, City of Oxford RC, UK